TSR STAFF: Megan E! @meganryan_e
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Last night the #Pentagon reportedly authorized the transfer of $1 billion dollars to begin the wall construction along the U.S. and Mexico border. This led to immediate objections from Democratic lawmakers. Senate Democrats have objected the transfer of the money to build fencing along the southern border to block drug smuggling according to @cnn.
According to @cnn on Monday, there was a Pentagon budget reprogramming notification that was sent out to Capitol Hill. In the notification it showed that the $1 billion will go towards “Building 57 miles of fencing, improving roads and other measures on the southern border.”
Check this out #Roommates the planning for this project started last night when #TheDepartmentOfDefense authorized the #ArmyCorpOfEngineers to begin planning the project and working on construction. According to Secretary of Defense #PatrickShanahan, who sent a letter to Secretary of Homeland Security #KirstjenNielsen, the Department of Defense will make sure the funds will go towards the 18-foot-high fencing, along the #Yuma and #ElPaso sections of the border. The Democratic senators, Senate Appropriations Committee’s subcommittees on Defense and Military Construction, Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies wrote a letter to Shanahan’s objections that the $1 billion in personnel funds.
As you guys may remember back in February, President #DonaldTrump declared a national emergency due to wanting to gather the funds to start building a wall along the U.S. and Mexico border. In his announcement, he mentioned that he directed the use of “counter drug monies” to help with the fund for the construction of the wall.
The counter drug will go from Department of Homeland Security to the Army Corps of Engineers in order to begin construction.
Due to the national emergency, there are other funds that can also go towards building the wall and infrastructure, such as military construction and funds. The administration did say on Monday night, their plan is to receive $1.5 billion in the future.
The democratic senators claim the “Pentagon did not get permission before notifying the committee of the transfer.” As this story continues o develop, we will keep you guys updated.
Source: CNN
